Strike and Insert: Amendment that replaces text in a measure or an amendment.

Strike from the Record: Remarks made on the House floor may offend some member, who moves that the offending words be “taken down” for the Speaker’s cognizance, and then expunged from the debate as published in the Congressional Record.

Strike the Last Word / Strike the Requisite Number of Words: Also called a pro forma amendment. Means of obtaining time to speak on an amendment without actually offering a substantive change. Amendments are debated under the five-minute rule, with the proponent and an opponent speaking first for up to five minutes each. Members may then make a motion to “strike the last word” or “strike the requisite number of words,” that is, offer a pro forma amendment to gain five minutes to speak on an amendment. At the end of five minutes, the pro forma amendment is considered withdrawn.

Pro Forma Amendment: Motion whereby a House member secures five minutes to speak on an amendment under debate, without offering a substantive amendment. The member moves to “strike the last word” or “strike the requisite number of words.” The motion requires no vote and is deemed automatically withdrawn at the expiration of the five minutes.

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